In 2011, the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission deemed a 1,150-square-mile segment of the Fayetteville shale off-limits for waste disposal in response to the seismic activity. The following year, the commission adopted rules requiring drillers to provide information on the geology of their well sites and to drill wells away from known fault lines.

Did You Know?

A report by the Environmental Integrity Project, released in 2014, found that Arkansas has 168 fracking sites that have illegally injected diesel fuel into the ground while fracking, which violates the Clean Water Act.

Last Updated: September 29, 2015

The Fracked Fact Quiz

How many earthquakes occurred in Arkansas between 2010 and 2011?

Less than 50

Around 200

More than 1,000

Between 2010 and 2011, there were more than 1,000 earthquakes in Arkansas. Scientists believe the earthquakes are linked to the extensive fracking occurring in the state. In February 2011, a magnitude 4.7 quake struck—the largest seismic event in 35 years.